Resolution 2005.9 Support for Families Experiencing Perinatal Loss

Whereas, Parents grieving the loss of a pregnancy or perinatal death often feel a lack of support and understanding; and

Whereas, Health care providers can play a significant and vital role in supporting parents who are experiencing a perinatal loss; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in 85th annual national convention assembled, encourage provincial councils to write to provincial/territorial ministers of health to ensure that guidelines to support families experiencing perinatal loss have been or will be developed and implemented in hospitals with emergency and/or obstetrics departments.

Requested Members’ Action:

• write letters to your provincial/territorial minister of health asking if guidelines supporting families experiencing perinatal death have been developed. If they have, ask for a copy. If not, urge them to develop and implement guidelines for use in hospitals with emergency and/or obstetrics departments
• send a copy of your letters to your local member of parliament
• if guidelines have been developed, take a copy to your local hospital and ask how they are implementing the guidelines. If they are not, ask how you and others in your parish council could assist in bringing the guidelines to life
• promote an awareness within your parish by offering to host support sessions, inviting a guest speaker(s)